JP2019219910A - Image forming system and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

To be able to reduce a printing load applied to an image forming device when a large amount of information is printed.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: a display unit 15; a specific information acquisition unit acquiring specific information specifying an information acquisition object for acquiring information on a network Nt; a search condition setting unit forming a search condition setting screen on the display unit 15 and setting search conditions for searching print objects accumulated on the information acquisition object, on the search condition setting screen; and an information acquisition unit acquiring the print objects satisfying the set search conditions. The search condition setting unit differently displays search items of the search conditions according to the specific information of the information acquisition object, on the search condition setting screen. Since the amount of print objects satisfying the search conditions is reduced, a printing load applied to the image forming device can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming method.

  Conventionally, in a printing system as an image forming system formed by connecting a host computer as an upper device and a printer as an image forming apparatus by a network, data, that is, print data is transmitted from the host computer to the printer. Then, in the printer, print data is edited to generate image data, a recording head is driven based on the image data, an image is formed on a sheet, and printing is performed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-145895 A

  However, in the conventional printing system, when printing a large amount of print data, it is necessary to reduce the printing load applied to the printer, for example, by reducing the amount of paper used for printing. Performs Nup printing for forming an image for N pages on one sheet, or performs page designation printing for forming an image only for a designated page, but designates Nup printing, page designation printing, and the like. Operation is cumbersome, and the printing load applied to the printer cannot be easily reduced.

  Further, in a printing system formed by connecting a portable terminal as a higher-level device and a printer via a network, an information acquisition target for acquiring information on the network, for example, an SNS (such as Twitter (registered trademark)). When printing a large amount of information such as articles, comments, images, and the like accumulated by using the social networking service), Nup printing, page designation printing, etc. cannot be performed, and printing added to the printer The load cannot be reduced.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional printing system, and provides an image forming system and an image forming method capable of reducing a printing load applied to an image forming apparatus when printing a large amount of information. With the goal.

  Therefore, in the image forming system of the present invention, a display unit, a specific information acquisition unit that acquires specific information that specifies an information acquisition target for acquiring information on a network, and based on the specific information, A search condition setting screen is formed on the display unit, and in the search condition setting screen, a search condition setting unit for setting search conditions for searching for a print target stored as an information acquisition target, and satisfying the set search conditions An information acquisition unit for acquiring a print target.

  Then, the search condition setting unit displays the search items of the search condition on the search condition setting screen in a manner corresponding to the specific information to be acquired.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming system, a display unit, a specific information obtaining unit that obtains specific information for specifying an information obtaining target for obtaining information on a network, and based on the specific information, A search condition setting screen is formed on the display unit, and in the search condition setting screen, a search condition setting unit for setting search conditions for searching for a print target stored as an information acquisition target, and satisfying the set search conditions An information acquisition unit for acquiring a print target.

  Then, the search condition setting unit displays the search items of the search condition on the search condition setting screen in a manner corresponding to the specific information to be acquired.

  In this case, a search condition setting screen is formed on the display unit based on the specific information for specifying an information acquisition target for acquiring information on the network. Since the display is made different according to the target specific information, the amount of the print target satisfying the search condition can be reduced.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce the printing load applied to the image forming apparatus when performing printing on the print target.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a first flowchart illustrating an operation of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a third flowchart illustrating the operation of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a fourth flowchart illustrating the operation of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an SNS print menu screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a thinning condition setting screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a thinning condition setting screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a message displayed on a search execution confirmation screen in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the 1st example of the message displayed on the prediction result display screen in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the 2nd example of the message displayed on the prediction result display screen in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the SNS1 server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a print result of an article, a comment, an image, and the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a print result of an article, a comment, an image, and the like in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a print result of an article, a comment, an image, and the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a thinning-out condition setting screen in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of an address input screen in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a first flowchart illustrating an operation of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a second flowchart illustrating the operation of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a third flowchart illustrating the operation of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search table according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, a printing system will be described as an image forming system formed by connecting a portable terminal as a terminal device and a printer as an image forming device via a network as a host device.

  FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a printer for performing printing on paper (not shown) as a medium, 12 denotes a portable terminal, Nt denotes a network, and Svi (i = 1, 2,...) Denotes a printer 11 and a portable terminal 12 via a network Nt. In this embodiment, a plurality of servers, i.e., SNSi servers (i = 1, 2,...), Sy, which are connected to the printer 11, the mobile terminal 12, and each SNSi server Svi Printing system.

  The user can use the mobile terminal 12 to obtain an information acquisition target for acquiring information on the network Nt via an Internet browser. In the present embodiment, the user can use a plurality of SNSis (i = 1, 2,...). By setting, access is made to the SNSi server Svi corresponding to each SNSi, and information to be printed stored in the SNSi, that is, articles such as posts, comments, images (photos, Video and the like can be viewed and printed.

  When the user operates the operation unit 14 on the mobile terminal 12 to instruct printing of an article, comment, image, or the like in order to print a predetermined article, comment, image, or the like, the display on the display unit 15 is performed. The address of the SNSi server, which is the specified information for specifying the SNSi, that is, the SNS address, is notified to the SNS printing application, which is the application recorded in the storage unit 17, and the SNS printing application is activated.

  The printer 11 includes, as internal modules, a device setting management unit 21, a communication unit 22, a print control unit 23, an operation / display unit 24, a print output unit 25, and the like.

  The device setting management unit 21 manages print setting items that can be set or changed by the user operating the operation unit of the operation / display unit 24, characteristic information of the printer 11, and the like. Note that the characteristic information of the printer 11 includes, in addition to information on the type of paper such as cut paper and roll paper (continuous paper) that can be used when printing is performed in the printer 11, a medium (not shown) of the print output unit 25. Information on the paper size such as the size of the paper stored in the storage unit is included.

  The communication unit 22 connects the printer 11 to the network Nt to perform data communication, the print control unit 23 controls the print output unit 25 to perform printing, and the operation / display unit 24 allows the user to instruct the printer 11 And a display unit such as a liquid crystal screen for displaying the status of the printer 11. The print output unit 25 includes, in addition to the medium storage unit, a recording head (not shown), a conveyance mechanism for conveying paper, a toner cartridge for storing toner, an image forming unit for forming a toner image, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like. Is provided.

  The SNS1 server Sv1 of the SNSi server Svi includes a communication unit 31, a search execution unit 32, a resource management unit 33, and the like as internal modules. The communication unit 31 is connected to the network Nt to perform data communication with the mobile terminal 12, and the search execution unit 32 searches for articles, comments, images, and the like of the SNS1. Then, the resource management unit 33 generates, deletes, or refers to data such as articles, comments, and images of the SNS 1, that is, article data, comment data, image data, and the like.

  The SNS2 server Sv2 includes a communication unit 41, a search execution unit 42, a resource management unit 43, a summary control unit 44, and the like as internal modules. The communication unit 41 is connected to the network Nt and performs data communication with the mobile terminal 12, and the search execution unit 42 searches for articles, comments, images, and the like of the SNS2. Then, the resource management unit 43 generates, deletes, or refers to the article data, comment data, image data, and the like of the SNS 2. The summarization control unit 44 uses the AI (Artificial Intelligence) function to understand the context and extract keywords from the entire text of the SNS2 article, comment, etc., and summarizes the document so that humans can understand it. Generate a short and concise summary document (digest) that is as short as possible.

  As described above, since the SNS2 server Sv2 includes the summary control unit 44, for example, when the user mainly wants to print an image, it can generate a summary document for an article and a comment.

  The portable terminal 12 includes a communication unit 50 and a print control unit 51 as internal modules in addition to the operation unit 14, the display unit 15, and the storage unit 17. The communication unit 50 connects the mobile terminal 12 to the network Nt to perform data communication, and the print control unit 51 performs printing of a predetermined article, comment, image, or the like by executing the SNS print application. Then, the entire mobile terminal 12 is controlled.

  For this purpose, the print control unit 51 includes, as internal modules, a printer setting unit 53 as an image forming apparatus setting unit, a print data generation unit 54, a printing condition setting unit 56, a layout control unit 58, and a prediction result as a prediction result notification unit. A display unit 59 and an SNS search control unit 61 are provided. The print condition setting unit 56 includes, as internal modules, an SNS address setting unit 63, a print target setting unit 64, a start date setting unit 65, an end date setting unit 66, and a roll paper maximum print length setting unit 67. The SNS search control unit 61 includes, as internal modules, a thinning condition setting unit 71 as a search condition setting unit, and an SNS search formula generation unit 72 as an information acquisition unit.

  The printer setting unit 53 obtains, from the device setting management unit 21 of the printer 11, printer information as device information such as setting information of the printer 11, hardware information, and the type of paper stored in a medium storage unit. And the printer 11, and the print data generating unit 54 converts the article data, comment data, image data, etc. of the SNSi into print data. The layout control unit 58 functions as an image processing unit, and draws a large amount of article data, comment data, image data, and the like obtained from the SNSi server Svi on a sheet stored in the medium storage unit, that is, prints. Determine the layout. Further, the layout control unit 58 performs the user's desired drawing contents based on the printing conditions set by the printing condition setting unit 56 and the thinning conditions set by the SNS search control unit 61 as the search conditions described later. The print layout is determined so that Then, the print data generation unit 54 generates print data based on the print layout determined by the layout control unit 58.

  Further, the predicted result display unit 59 predicts whether or not a print result expected by the user is obtained before the actual printing is started, and displays a message according to the predicted result on the display unit 15.

  Then, the thinning condition setting unit 71 of the SNS search control unit 61 sets thinning conditions based on a search table Tb1 (FIG. 7) described later. Further, the SNS search formula generation unit 72 of the SNS search control unit 61 generates an SNS search formula as an information acquisition target search formula for performing printing in accordance with the thinning conditions set by the thinning condition setting unit 71, and the SNSi server Svi From this, articles, comments, images, etc. that satisfy the thinning conditions are acquired.

  Next, the operation of the mobile terminal 12 when printing stored articles, comments, images, and the like while the user is browsing the SNSi with the Internet browser on the mobile terminal 12 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Is a third flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a fourth flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an SNS print menu screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search table according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first example of a thinning condition setting screen according to the first embodiment, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of a thinning condition setting screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Execution confirmation screen in the embodiment of the present invention FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message to be displayed, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a message displayed on a prediction result display screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a message displayed on the prediction result display screen according to the embodiment.

  When the user operates the operation unit 14 to print the stored articles, comments, images, and the like while browsing a predetermined SNSi with the Internet browser on the mobile terminal 12, and starts the SNS print application, The printing condition setting unit 56 of the printing control unit 51 sets the printing condition selected by the user.

  For this purpose, the print condition setting unit 56 forms an SNS print menu screen ds1 on the display unit 15 as a print condition setting screen as shown in FIG.

  The SNS print menu screen ds1 includes an area Ar1 for setting an SNS address, an area Ar2 for setting an object to be printed, and articles to be printed when printing articles, comments, images, and the like stored in the SNSi. An area Ar3 for setting a start date of a generation date of an article, a comment, an image, etc., an area Ar4 for setting an end date of the generation date, and a printer 11 connected to the network Nt to specify and set. Area Ar5, an area for setting the maximum amount of medium for printing articles, comments, images, and the like in the printer 11, for example, the allowable print length of roll paper when the roll paper is stored in the medium storage unit As an operation element for setting thinning conditions for articles, comments, images, and the like to be printed for each of Ar6 and SNSi Thinning condition button bt1, print button bt2 such as an operating element for starting the printing is displayed.

  Subsequently, the SNS address setting unit 63 of the printing condition setting unit 56 functions as a first specific information obtaining unit, and the SNS address that the user is browsing, for example, the SNS address specifying the SNS1, that is, the SNS1 server Sv1 Obtain the address “http://www.sns1.com/” and add a sub-folder “user1 /” specifying the user of the SNS1 to the address “http://www.sns1.com/” of the SNS1 server Sv1. , The address “http://www.sns1.com/user1/” of the user's timeline is set.

  Then, in the area Ar2, the printing condition setting unit 56 determines whether the user has selected the timeline or the list of followers by giving the symbol ○, and the user performs printing in the SNS1. It is determined whether the print target is a timeline article, comment, image, or the like, or a list of followers following the user.

  The print target that can be selected in the area Ar2 can be changed based on information unique to each SNSi, information that cannot be specified only by the SNS address, and the like. Since the information that can be obtained from the SNSi depends on an API (application programming interface) that is open to the public at the site of the SNSi, a print target can be selected according to the API.

  The print condition setting unit 56 reads the date input to the area Ar3 and the date input to the area Ar4 by the user, and the start date setting unit 65 converts the date input to the area Ar3 into an article to be printed. , The end date setting unit 66 sets the date input in the area Ar4 as the end date of the generation date of articles, comments, images, etc. to be printed. I do.

  For example, if the user wants to print an article, comment, image, or the like on the timeline for one year in 2015, input “2015/01/01” in the area Ar3 and “2015/12/31” in the area Ar4. Good.

  Further, the printing condition setting unit 56 reads the name of the printer 11 input by the user into the area Ar5, for example, “RollPaper Printer 1”, reads the value “200” input into the area Ar6, and reads the roll paper maximum print length. The setting unit 67 sets the allowable print length of roll paper to 200 [cm] when roll paper is stored in the medium storage unit of the print output unit 25.

  When the print conditions are set in this manner, the print control unit 51 determines whether the user has pressed the thinning-out condition button bt1. If the user has not pressed the thinning-out condition button bt1, the print control unit 51 sets the print condition. The unit 56 determines whether the user has pressed the print button bt2.

  When the user presses the thinning condition button bt1, the thinning condition setting unit 71 of the SNS search control unit 61 functions as a second specific information acquisition unit and is set in the area Ar1 of the SNS print menu screen ds1. The SNS address is acquired, and it is determined whether the acquired SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1 shown in FIG.

  The search cable Tb1 is recorded in the non-volatile memory area of the storage unit 17, and each SNSi, in this embodiment, SNS addresses which are the addresses of SNS1 and SNS2, and SNS1 and SNS2 are open to the outside. In addition to the SNS search API address, which is the API address, a plurality of search items set in correspondence with the SNS address, in this embodiment, 11 search items, and a search expression including a character string for each search item That is, the list includes a search formula for the SNS1 server and a search formula for the SNS2 server.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. No. 3 “print target = timeline search”; No. 4 “Print target = Follower search”, No. 4 No. 5, “Start date (mm / dd / yyyy)”, No. 6, “End date (mm / dd / yyyy)”, No. 7, “Like number, xx or more”; No. 8 “Including images”, No. 8 No. 9 “Hashtag = # xxxx”, No. 9 No. 10 “including share”, No. 10 No. 11 “Full text including comments”, No. 11 No. 12 “Print only the beginning of the comment including the comment”; 13 "Summary text with comments with AI".

  It should be noted that a predetermined search item among the search items, in the present embodiment, No. No. 5 “start date (mm / dd / yyyy year)”; 6 is recorded as the user inputs a start date and an end date of the generation date on the SNS print menu screen ds1 shown in FIG. 6. The head of the comment means a part having a predetermined number of characters at the head of the comment.

  In this case, since the address of the user's timeline set in the area Ar1 is “http://www.sns1.com/user1//” and is of the SNS1, the thinning condition setting unit 71 sets the search table Based on the information of the SNS1 server search formula of Tb1, a thinning condition setting screen ds2 as a SNS1 search condition setting screen as shown in FIG. 8 is formed on the display unit 15, and the thinning condition setting screen ds2 is displayed on the thinning condition setting screen ds2. Displays the default of the thinning condition and prompts the user to set the thinning condition.

  That is, in the thinning condition setting screen ds2, as the default of the thinning condition, 20 is set as the value of the “number of likes” in the area Ar11, “Yes” as to whether the area Ar12 includes “image”, and “Comment” is set in the area Ar13. "Yes" is displayed in the area Ar14 and "Yes" is displayed in the area Ar14.

  On the thinning condition setting screen ds2, the user changes the value of “number of likes” in the area Ar11, changes “include images” in the area Ar12 to No, and sets “include comments” in the area Ar13. It is possible to change to “No” or to change “Print only the beginning of comment” in the area Ar14 to “No”.

  Regarding the thinning conditions, regardless of whether “Include images” in the area Ar12 is displayed as Yes or No, “Including comments” in the area Ar13 is displayed as Yes or No. Regardless of whether it is done, the article is always printed. If “Print only the head of comment” in the area Ar14 is set to “Yes”, only the head of the article is printed, and if “Print only the head of comment” is set to No, the entire text of the article is printed. Printed.

  Then, when the user presses an OK button bt3 as an operation element on the thinning condition setting screen ds2, the thinning condition setting unit 71 sets a thinning condition.

  When the address of the user's timeline set in the area Ar1 is that of the SNS2, the thinning condition setting unit 71 displays the display unit 15 on the display unit 15 based on the information in the search table Tb1 as shown in FIG. A thinning condition setting screen ds3 as a search condition setting screen for the SNS 2 is formed, a default of the thinning condition is displayed on the thinning condition setting screen ds3, and the user is prompted to set the thinning condition.

  That is, in the thinning condition setting screen ds3, as the default of the thinning condition, 20 is set as the value of the “number of likes” in the area Ar21, “Yes” as to whether the area Ar22 includes “image”, and “Hash” is set in the area Ar23. As a tag, # Harajuku, No in the area Ar24 as to whether or not to include the share, Yes in the area Ar25 as to whether to include the comment, and Yes in the area Ar26 as to whether to summarize the text with AI. Is displayed.

  On the thinning condition setting screen ds3, the user changes the value of the “number of likes” in the area Ar21, changes “include images” in the area Ar22 to No, and changes the “hash tag” in the area Ar23 to “No”. To the hashtag of the area Ar24, change "including share" of the area Ar24 to Yes, change "include the comment" of the area Ar25 to No, and change the "summary text by AI" of the area Ar26 to No. Or can be changed.

  Then, when the user presses an OK button bt4 as an operation element on the thinning condition setting screen ds3, the thinning condition setting unit 71 sets the thinning condition.

  For example, in the search expression for the SNS1 server in the search table Tb1 shown in FIG. Since “-” is recorded for “hashtag #xxxx” of No. 9 and “includes share” of search item No. 10, SNS1 corresponds to the search items of “hashtag #xxxx” and “includes share” The thinning condition setting screen ds2 in FIG. 8 does not display the thinning conditions for the hashtag and the share. On the other hand, in the search expression for the SNS2 server in the search table Tb1, the search item No. A search formula is recorded for “hash tag #xxxx” of No. 9 and “include share” of search item No. 10. Therefore, since the SNS 2 corresponds to the search items of “hash tag #XXXX” and “including share”, the thinning conditions for the hash tag and the share are displayed on the thinning condition setting screen ds3 of FIG.

  As described above, the search items of each thinning condition formed on the thinning condition setting screens ds2 and ds3 are displayed differently corresponding to the SNS address of the SNSi.

  Subsequently, the print condition setting unit 56 determines whether the user has pressed the print button bt2 on the SNS print menu screen ds1, and if the user has not pressed the print button bt2, the print control unit 51 It is determined whether termination of the SNS print application is selected.

  When the user presses the print button bt2 on the SNS print menu screen ds1, the SNS search formula generation unit 72 of the SNS search control unit 61 sets the address of the user's timeline set in the area Ar1 of the SNS print menu screen ds1. The SNS address is obtained based on the SNS address, and it is determined whether the obtained SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1 shown in FIG.

  If the SNS address is not recorded in the search table Tb1, the print control unit 51 determines whether the user has selected to end the SNS print application, and ends the process if the user has selected to end the SNS print application. I do.

  When the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1, the SNS search expression generation unit 72 sets the print conditions set by the print condition setting unit 56 in the SNS print menu screen ds1, and the SNS search expression generation unit 72 in the thinning condition setting screens ds2 and ds3. An SNS search formula is generated based on the thinning conditions set by the thinning condition setting unit 71 and transmitted to the SNS1 server Sv1.

For example, if the address of the user's timeline is “http://www.snsl.com/userl/” and the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1 by the Internet browser, the SNS print menu screen ds1 “Print target” is set to “Timeline”, “Start date” is set to “2015/01/01”, “End date” is set to “2015/12/31”, and in the thinning condition setting screen ds2, the thinning condition is set. When the value of “number of likes” is set to 20 or more, “include image” is set to “Yes”, and “include comment” is set to “Yes”, the SNS search expression generation unit 72 sets the search table Tb1 search formulas are combined, and the SNS search formula http: // api. snsl. com / userl / get_time_line? sense = 2015-01-01 & until = 2015-12-31 & favorite_minimum = 20 & with_image & with_comment
Is generated and transmitted to the SNS1 server Sv1 via the network Nt.

  Subsequently, the mobile terminal 12 receives a search result based on the SNS search formula from the SNS1 server Sv1.

  By the way, when the SNS search formula generated by the SNS search formula generation unit 72 is transmitted to the SNS1 server Sv1, the search execution unit 32 in the SNS1 server Sv1 extracts articles, comments, images, etc. of the SNS1 based on the SNS search formula. Search and generate articles, comments, images, etc. that satisfy the thinning conditions, but if the setting of the thinning conditions is not sufficient, the number of articles, comments, images, etc. that satisfy the thinning conditions increases, and the time required for the search, that is, It is expected that the search time will be long.

  Therefore, when it is expected that the search time will be long, the search execution unit 32 transmits to the portable terminal 12 a start availability inquiry notification for inquiring whether the search may be started as the first search information. Then, the mobile terminal 12 determines whether or not the start permission / inhibition inquiry notification has been received, and when receiving the start permission / inhibition inquiry notification, the prediction result display unit 59 causes the display unit 15 to display “ It is expected that search conditions will not be long enough and the search time will be long. ", And a search execution confirmation screen (not shown) is formed to allow the user to start the search. It is determined by inquiring of the user whether or not to change the thinning condition.

  When changing the thinning conditions according to the user's instruction, the SNS search control unit 61 transmits a search cancel message to the SNS1 server Sv1.

  When the thinning condition is not changed according to the user's instruction, the SNS search control unit 61 transmits a search continuation message to the SNS1 server Sv1.

  Then, in the SNS search formula transmitted from the mobile terminal 12 to the SNS1 server Sv1, when the setting of the thinning conditions is sufficient, that is, when the mobile terminal 12 does not receive the start availability inquiry notification from the SNS1 server Sv1, The terminal 12 receives, as second search information, articles, comments, images, and the like extracted by the search from the SNS1 server Sv1.

  Next, the layout control unit 58 acquires the printer information from the printer setting unit 53, and adjusts the printer information, the paper size of the paper housed in the medium housing unit, and the printing conditions set by the printing condition setting unit 56. Based on this, a print layout for printing articles, comments, images, and the like is determined.

  Subsequently, the prediction result display unit 59 evaluates the print layout determined by the layout control unit 58, predicts a print result when printing is performed according to the determined print layout, and displays the prediction result on the display unit 15. Display and request user's instruction.

  For example, when the print length of the roll paper exceeds the permissible print length set by the user on the SNS print menu screen ds1, the prediction result display unit 59 causes the display unit 15 to display “as is now” as shown in FIG. Please change the thinning condition. Display the expected result of the printing state such as "OK" and display a message prompting the user to give an instruction. If the print length of the roll paper does not exceed the allowable print length, the prediction result display section 59 displays “Estimated to be about 180 cm. As shown in FIG. 12, start printing? <YES> <NO> ”and the like, and a message prompting the user for an instruction is displayed.

  Then, when there is no instruction from the user to change the thinning conditions and an instruction to start printing, the print data generation unit 54 generates print data according to the print layout and transmits the print data to the printer 11.

Next, the flowchart will be described.
Step S1 The print condition setting section 56 forms the SNS print menu screen ds1, and sets print conditions.
Step S2: The print control section 51 determines whether or not the user has pressed the thinning-out condition button bt1. When the user presses the thinning-out condition button bt1, the process proceeds to step S3, and when the user does not press the thinning-out condition button bt1, the process proceeds to step S6.
Step S3: The thinning condition setting unit 71 acquires the SNS address.
Step S4: The thinning condition setting unit 71 determines whether or not the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1. When the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S5, and when the SNS address is not recorded in the search table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S6.
Step S5 The thinning condition setting unit 71 forms the thinning condition setting screens ds2 and ds3 based on the information of the search table Tb1, and sets the thinning conditions.
Step S6: The printing condition setting section 56 determines whether or not the user has pressed the print button bt2. When the user presses the print button bt2, the process proceeds to step S7, and when the user does not press the print button bt2, the process proceeds to step S9.
Step S7: The SNS search formula generation unit 72 acquires the SNS address.
Step S8: The SNS search formula generation unit 72 determines whether the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1. If the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S10. If the SNS address is not recorded in the search table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S9.
Step S9: The print control unit 51 determines whether the user has selected to end the SNS print application. If the user has selected to end the SNS print application, the process ends. If the user has not selected to end the SNS print application, the process returns to step S1.
Step S10: The SNS search formula generation unit 72 generates an SNS search formula based on the printing condition and the thinning condition, and transmits the SNS search formula to the SNS1 server Sv1.
Step S11: The mobile terminal 12 receives the search result from the SNS1 server Sv1.
Step S12: The mobile terminal 12 determines whether or not the start permission / inhibition inquiry notification has been received. The process proceeds to step S13 if a start permission / inhibition inquiry notification is received, and proceeds to step S17 if a start permission / inhibition inquiry notification is not received.
Step S13: The prediction result display section 59 forms a search execution confirmation screen on the display section 15.
Step S14: The prediction result display section 59 determines whether or not to change the thinning conditions. When the thinning conditions are not changed, the process proceeds to step S15, and when the thinning conditions are changed, the process proceeds to step S16.
Step S15: The SNS search control unit 61 transmits a search continuation message to the SNS1 server Sv1, and proceeds to step S17.
Step S16: The SNS search control unit 61 transmits a search cancel message to the SNS1 server Sv1, and returns to step S1.
Step S17: The layout control section 58 acquires printer information.
Step S18: The layout control section 58 determines a print layout based on the printer information, the paper size, and the printing conditions.
Step S19: The prediction result display section 59 displays the prediction result when printing is performed.
Step S20: The prediction result display section 59 determines whether or not there is an instruction to change the thinning condition. If there is no instruction to change the thinning condition, the process proceeds to step S21. If there is an instruction to change the thinning condition, the process returns to step S1.
Step S21: The prediction result display section 59 determines whether or not there is an instruction to start printing. If there is an instruction to start printing, the process proceeds to step S22, and if there is no instruction to start printing, the process returns to step S1.
Step S22: The print data generation unit 54 generates print data according to the print layout, transmits the print data to the printer 11, and proceeds to step S9.

  Next, the operation of the SNS1 server Sv1 when the SNS search formula is transmitted from the mobile terminal 12 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the SNS1 server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, upon receiving the SNS search formula transmitted from the mobile terminal 12, the search execution unit 32 calculates a search time based on the SNS search formula. The search time is calculated based on the period from the start date to the end date of the generation date of articles, comments, images, and the like to be printed, the number of articles, comments, images, and the like to be searched. Even if the period from the start date to the end date of the generation date of articles, comments, images, etc. is long, if the number of articles, comments, images, etc. is small, the search time does not become long.

  Next, the search execution unit 32 determines whether or not the search time exceeds a predetermined value. If the search time exceeds the predetermined value, a start availability inquiry notification for inquiring whether to start the search is made as the first search information. Transmit to the mobile terminal 12.

  Subsequently, the search execution unit 32 waits to receive a search cancel message or a search continuation message from the mobile terminal 12. Upon receiving the search cancel message from the mobile terminal 12, the search execution unit 32 terminates the process, and upon receiving the search continuation message, searches the SNS1 for articles, comments, images, and the like based on the SNS search formula. The extracted articles, comments, images, and the like are transmitted to the mobile terminal 12 as second search information.

Next, the flowchart will be described.
Step S31: The search execution unit 32 receives the SNS search formula.
Step S32 The search execution unit 32 calculates a search time based on the SNS search formula.
Step S33: The search execution unit 32 determines whether the search time exceeds a predetermined value. When the search time exceeds the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S34, and when the search time does not exceed the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S38.
Step S34: The search execution section 32 transmits a start permission / inhibition inquiry notification to the mobile device 12.
Step S35: The search execution unit 32 waits to receive a search cancel message or a search continuation message from the mobile terminal 12.
Step S36: The search execution unit 32 determines whether a search cancel message has been received. If a search cancel message has been received, the process ends, and if a search cancel message has not been received, the process proceeds to step S37.
Step S37: The search execution section 32 determines whether or not a search continuation message has been received. If the search continuation message has been received, the process proceeds to step S38, and if the search continuation message has not been received, the process ends.
Step S38: The search execution unit 32 searches for articles, comments, images, etc. based on the SNS search formula.
Step S39: The search execution unit 32 transmits the articles, comments, images, and the like extracted by the search to the mobile terminal 12, and ends the process.

  Next, a description will be given of a print result when an article, a comment, an image, and the like are printed on roll paper by the printer 11.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a print result of articles, comments, images, and the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is an article, comments, images, and the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second example of the print result of the first embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a third example of the print result of an article, a comment, an image, and the like in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 14 shows the thinning condition setting screen ds2 shown in FIG. 8, as the thinning conditions, “Yes” as to whether or not “include images” in the area Ar12, “Yes” as to whether or not “include comments” in the area Ar13, and Is set to No, whether to print only the beginning of the comment is set to No and the print result when the SNS1 article, comment, image, etc. is printed on the roll paper Pr.

  In this case, the full text of the article and the comment and the image are printed on the roll paper Pr having an allowable print length Lp set by the user within 200 [cm] in a page-by-page order from the latest date. All the articles, comments, images, etc., that satisfy the thinning conditions are printed in the same print layout as when browsing SNS1 with an Internet browser, so the print result is viewed as if the SNS1 timeline were viewed. be able to.

  This allows the user to print all articles, comments, images, and the like posted on the SNS 1 during the specific period on the roll paper Pr and check them in chronological order. Articles, comments, images, and the like can be extracted, and unnecessary articles, comments, images, and the like can be deleted.

  Further, FIG. 15 shows that in the thinning condition setting screen ds2, as the thinning conditions, “Yes” indicates whether or not “include images” in the area Ar12, “Yes” indicates whether “includes comments” in the area Ar13, and “ Whether or not to print only the head part of the comment is set to Yes, and the print result when the SNS1 article, comment, image, etc. is printed on the roll paper Pr is shown. In FIG. 15, “article head” means the head of the article, and “comment head” means the head of the comment.

  In this case, the head part of the article and the comment and the image are arranged in chronological order of the date, and printing centering on the image is performed.

  In the print result shown in FIG. 14, since the full text of the article and the comment is printed, an area where no image is formed is formed between the images, and the consumption of the roll paper Pr increases unnecessarily. On the other hand, in the print result shown in FIG. 15, since only the head of the article and the comment are printed, an area where no image is formed is not formed between the images, and the roll paper Pr is not printed. Consumption can be reduced.

  FIG. 16 shows the thinning condition setting screen ds3 shown in FIG. 9, as the thinning conditions, “Include images” in the area Ar22 is set to Yes, “Include comments” in the area Ar25 is set to No, and “ A summary of articles and comments of SNS2 and a print result when an image is printed on the roll paper Pr are shown, with "Text is summarized by AI" set to Yes.

  As described above, since the SNS2 server Sv2 includes the summary control unit 44, the SNS2 server Sv2 can generate a summary of articles and comments of the SNS2. In FIG. 16, “digest” means an abstract of an article and a comment.

  In this case, since the summary of the article and the comment is printed, the user can easily grasp the contents of the article and the comment. Further, since an area where no image is formed is not formed between the images, the consumption of the roll paper Pr can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the thinning condition setting screens ds2 and ds3 are formed on the display unit 15 based on the SNS address that specifies the SNSi for acquiring information on the network Nt, and the thinning condition setting is performed. In the screens ds2 and ds3, the search items of the thinning conditions are displayed differently corresponding to the SNS addresses of the SNSi, so that the amount of articles, comments, images, and the like that satisfy the thinning conditions can be reduced.

  Therefore, the printing load applied to the printer 11 when printing articles, comments, images, and the like can be reduced.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The components having the same structure as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the effects of the same embodiment are cited for the effects of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a thinning condition setting screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an address input screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, ds4 is a thinning condition setting screen as a search condition setting screen for SNS1 formed on the display unit 15 (FIG. 1).

  In this case, in the thinning condition setting screen ds4, as the default of the thinning condition, “20” is set as the value of the “number of likes” in the area Ar31, “Yes” as to whether the area Ar32 includes “image”, and “Yes” in the area Ar33. Yes is displayed as to whether or not “comments are included”, and Yes is displayed as to whether or not to “summarize text with AI (using external site)” in area Ar34.

  On the thinning condition setting screen ds4, the user changes the value of “number of likes” in the area Ar31, changes “include images” in the area Ar32 to No, and changes “include comments” in the area Ar33. It is possible to change to “No” or to change “Summary text with AI (using external site)” in area Ar34 to “No”.

  When the user presses an OK button bt5 as an operation element on the thinning condition setting screen ds4, the thinning condition setting unit 71 (FIG. 1) as a search condition setting unit sets the thinning conditions.

  In this case, since the SNS1 server Sv1 does not include the summary control unit, the summary control unit of the external site is used to generate the summary. The digest control unit is connected to the SNS1 server Sv1 via the network Nt, and, like the digest control unit 44 of the SNS2 server Sv2 (FIG. 1), executes the AI function for the full text of the document such as the articles and comments of the SNSi. In order to understand the context and extract keywords, the document is summarized and a short and concise summary document (digest) that can be understood by humans is generated.

  Note that if the user presses the OK button bt5 with “Summary of text using AI (use of external site)” set to Yes, the thinning condition setting unit 71 displays the address shown in FIG. Form an input screen ds5 and display a message such as "Summary text with AI. Enter the address of an external site that uses AI." And enter the address on the address input screen ds5. Is formed, and an OK button bt6 as an operation element is displayed. When the user inputs the address of the external site in the window Wn and presses the OK button bt6, the SNS1 server Sv1 accesses the external site, transmits articles, comments, and the like to the summary control unit, and then transmits the summary document from the external site. Is acquired and transmitted to the mobile terminal 12 as a higher-level device and as a terminal device.

  By the way, in the first and second embodiments, as described above, when the user is browsing a predetermined SNSi, for example, SNS1, on the mobile terminal 12 with the Internet browser, the data is accumulated. When the SNS print application is started by operating the operation unit 14 to print an article, a comment, an image, and the like, the print condition setting unit 56 displays a print condition setting screen as shown in FIG. When the user presses the thinning condition button bt1 as an operation element on the SNS print menu screen ds1, the thinning condition setting unit 71 is set in the area Ar1 of the SNS print menu screen ds1. The SNS address of the acquired SNS1 is acquired, and the search for the SNS1 server is performed by referring to the search table Tb1 (FIG. 7). Based on the display unit 15, to form a thinned condition setting screen ds2 as a search condition setting screen for SNS1 as shown in FIG. 8, so as to prompt the setting conditions thinning the user.

  In this case, if the search expression for the SNS1 server is not recorded in the search table Tb1, the thinning condition setting screen ds2 cannot be formed on the display unit 15, and the thinning condition cannot be set.

  Therefore, even when the search expression for the SNSi server is not recorded in the search table Tb1, the thinning condition setting screen can be formed on the display unit 15 and the thinning condition can be set. An embodiment will be described. The components having the same structure as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the effect of the invention by having the same structure is referred to the effect of the same embodiment.

  FIG. 19 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a third flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that, in the present embodiment, the same operations as those of the mobile terminal 12 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the third and fourth flowcharts in FIGS.

  An SNS print application for printing stored articles, comments, images, and the like when a user is browsing a predetermined SNSi with an Internet browser on the mobile terminal 12 as a higher-level device and as a terminal device. Is activated, the print condition setting unit 56 of the print control unit 51 forms an SNS print menu screen ds1 on the display unit 15 as a print condition setting screen as shown in FIG. Set.

  Subsequently, the thinning condition setting unit 71 as a search condition setting unit determines whether the user has pressed the thinning condition button bt1 as an operation element on the SNS print menu screen ds1, and the user presses the thinning condition button bt1. If not, it is determined whether the user has pressed the print button bt2 as an operation element.

  When the user presses the thinning condition button bt1, the thinning condition setting unit 71 acquires the SNS address based on the address of the user's time line set in the area Ar1 of the SNS print menu screen ds1, and acquires the acquired SNS address. Is recorded in the search table Tb1 shown in FIG.

  If the SNS 1 that the user is browsing is SNS1, the SNS address of SNS1 is recorded in the search table Tb1 shown in FIG. The thinning condition setting screen ds2 as the search condition setting screen for the SNS 1 is formed, and the thinning conditions are set.

  On the other hand, when the SNSi that the user is browsing is, for example, SNS3 and the SNS address is not recorded in the search table Tb1 illustrated in FIG. The start date and the end date of the creation date of the article, the comment, the image, etc. set by are read and transmitted to an SNS3 server (not shown). From the SNS3 server, based on the html information, the start date and the end date are read. It receives articles, comments, images, etc. accumulated during the period and control information of the SNS3 server. The control information includes attribute information such as properties, types, and categories of each function provided in the SNS3 server.

  Then, the thinning condition setting unit 71 forms a thinning condition setting screen (not shown) as a search condition setting screen for SNS3 on the display unit 15 based on the control information of the SNS3 server, and sets the thinning conditions.

  Subsequently, the SNS search control unit 61 determines whether the user has pressed the print button bt2 on the SNS print menu screen ds1, and if the user has not pressed the print button bt2, the print control unit 51 It is determined whether termination of the SNS print application is selected.

  When the user presses the print button bt2 on the SNS print menu screen ds1, the SNS search expression generation unit 72 as the information acquisition unit of the SNS search control unit 61 sets the user set in the area Ar1 of the SNS print menu screen ds1. The SNS address is acquired based on the address of the time line of, and it is determined whether the acquired SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1 shown in FIG.

  Then, when the SNS that the user is browsing is SNS1, the SNS address of SNS1 is recorded in the search table Tb1, so the SNS search formula generation unit 72 uses the print condition setting unit 56 in the SNS print menu screen ds1. Based on the set printing conditions and the thinning conditions set by the thinning condition setting unit 71 on the thinning condition setting screen ds2, an SNS search formula is generated and transmitted to the SNS1 server Sv1.

  Also, if the SNS 3 that the user is browsing is SNS3, the SNS address of SNS3 is not recorded in the search table Tb1, so the SNS search formula generation unit 72 uses the print condition setting unit 56 in the SNS print menu screen ds1. Based on the set printing conditions and the thinning conditions set by the thinning condition setting unit 71 on the thinning condition setting screen for SNS3, an SNS search formula is generated and transmitted to the SNS3 server.

  Subsequently, the mobile terminal 12 receives a search result based on the SNS search formula from the SNS3 server.

  Then, when the SNS search formula generated by the SNS search formula generation unit 72 is transmitted to the SNS3 server, the search execution unit in the SNS3 server searches for articles, comments, images, etc. of the SNS3 based on the SNS search formula, Generate articles, comments, images, etc. that satisfy the thinning conditions. At this time, if the thinning conditions are not sufficient, the search time is expected to be long.

  When the search time is expected to be long, the search execution unit transmits to the portable terminal 12 a start possibility inquiry notification for inquiring whether the search may be started as the first search information. Then, the portable terminal 12 determines whether or not the start permission / inhibition inquiry notification has been received, and when receiving the start permission / inhibition inquiry notification, the prediction result display unit 59 as the prediction result notification unit displays the display unit 15 in FIG. And a message indicating the expected result, such as "The thinning conditions are not sufficient and the search time is expected to be long.", And a search execution confirmation screen (not shown) is formed, and the user is searched. Is started, that is, whether the thinning conditions are not changed.

  When changing the thinning conditions according to the user's instruction, the SNS search control unit 61 transmits a search cancel message to the SNS3 server.

  When the thinning condition is not changed according to the user's instruction, the SNS search control unit 61 transmits a search continuation message to the SNS3 server.

  Then, the mobile terminal 12 receives the articles, comments, images, and the like extracted by the search from the SNS3 server as the second search information.

Next, the flowchart will be described.
Step S41: The print condition setting section 56 forms the SNS print menu screen ds1, and sets the print conditions.
Step S42 The thinning condition setting unit 71 determines whether the user has pressed the thinning condition button bt1. When the user presses the thinning-out condition button bt1, the process proceeds to step S43. When the user does not press the thinning-out condition button bt1, the process proceeds to step S48.
Step S43: The thinning condition setting unit 71 acquires the SNS address.
Step S44: The thinning condition setting unit 71 determines whether or not the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1. When the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S45, and when the user is not recorded in the search table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S46.
Step S45 The thinning condition setting unit 71 forms a thinning condition setting screen ds2 based on the information in the search table Tb1, sets thinning conditions, and proceeds to step S48.
Step S46 The thinning-out condition setting unit 71 transmits the start date and the end date to the SNS3 server, and receives articles, comments, images, and the like and control information from the SNS3 server.
Step S47 The thinning condition setting section 71 forms a thinning condition setting screen and sets thinning conditions.
Step S48: The SNS search control section 61 determines whether the user has pressed the print button bt2. When the user presses the print button bt2, the process proceeds to step S49, and when the user does not press the print button bt2, the process proceeds to step S58.
Step S49: The SNS search formula generating section 72 acquires the SNS address.
Step S50: The SNS search formula generation unit 72 determines whether or not the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1. If the SNS address is recorded in the search table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S10. If the SNS address is not recorded in the search table Tb1, the process proceeds to step S51.
Step S51: The SNS search formula generation unit 72 generates an SNS search formula based on the printing conditions and the thinning conditions set on the thinning setting screen, and transmits the SNS search formula to the SNS1 server Sv1.
Step S52: The mobile terminal 12 receives the search result from the SNS3 server.
Step S53: The portable terminal 12 determines whether or not the start permission / inhibition inquiry notice has been received. The process proceeds to step S54 if a start availability inquiry notification has been received, and proceeds to step S17 if a start availability inquiry notification has not been received.
Step S54: The prediction result display section 59 forms a search execution confirmation screen.
Step S55: The prediction result display section 59 determines whether or not to change the thinning condition. When the thinning condition is not changed, the process proceeds to step S56, and when the thinning condition is changed, the process proceeds to step S57.
Step S56: The SNS search control unit 61 transmits a search execution message to the SNS3 server, and proceeds to step S17.
Step S57: The SNS search control unit 61 transmits a search cancel message to the SNS3 server, and returns to step S41.
Step S58: The print control section 51 determines whether or not the user has selected to end the SNS print application. If the user selects the end of the SNS print application, the process ends. If the user does not select the end of the SNS print application, the process returns to step S41.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, when printing a stored article, comment, image, or the like while the user is browsing SNS3, the thinning condition setting unit 71 uses the control information acquired from the SNS3 server. A thinning condition setting screen for SNS3 is formed on the display unit 15 on the basis of the SNS3 server. Whenever a user browses SNS3 and prints stored articles, comments, images, and the like, the SNS3 server performs control. It is necessary to acquire information, and the amount of communication data between the mobile terminal 12 and the SNS3 server increases.

  Therefore, once control information is obtained from the SNSi server, it is not necessary to obtain control information again when printing articles, comments, images, and the like stored in SNSi, and the processing speed of the mobile terminal 12 is increased. A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The components having the same structure as those of the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the effects of the present embodiment due to having the same structure are referred to.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search table according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, Tb2 is a search cable, and the search table Tb2 is recorded in the non-volatile memory area of the storage unit 17 (FIG. 1), and is SNS, which is the address of SNS1 to SNS3 in the present embodiment. In addition to the address, the SNS search API address which is the address of the API that each of the SNS1 to SNS3 discloses to the outside, in the present embodiment, a plurality of SNS1 servers to SNS3 servers for 12 search items The sentence is composed of a search expression composed of a character string, that is, a list of SNS1 server search expressions to SNS3 server search expressions.

  In the present embodiment, the search item is No. No. 3 “print target = timeline search”; No. 4 “Print target = Follower search”, No. 4 No. 5, “Start date (mm / dd / yyyy)”, No. 6, “End date (mm / dd / yyyy)”, No. 7, “Like number, xx or more”; No. 8 “Including images”, No. 8 No. 9 “Hashtag = # xxxx”, No. 9 No. 10 “including share”, No. 10 No. 11 “Full text including comments”, No. 11 No. 12, “Print only the beginning of the comment including the comment”, No. 13 “Summary text including comments with AI” and No. 13 14 "does not include moving images".

  In the present embodiment, the search formula for the SNS1 server and the search formula for the SNS2 server are generated in advance and recorded in the search table Tb2, but the search formula for the SNS3 server is different from the SNS as in the third embodiment. The search control unit 61 (FIG. 1) acquires control information from the SNS3 server, and is generated based on the control information.

  In this case, in the search expression for the SNS3 server, the search item No. A search expression “without_movie” is recorded for 14 “not including moving images”.

Therefore, for example, the address of the user's timeline is “http://www.sns3.com/userl/”, and “print target” is displayed on the SNS print menu screen ds1 (FIG. 6) as the print condition setting screen. In the “timeline”, the “start date” is set to “2015/01/01”, the “end date” is set to “2015/12/31”, and in the thinning condition setting screen as the search condition setting screen for SNS3, If the value of the “number of likes” is set to 20 or more, “including images” is set to Yes, “including comments” is set to Yes, and “not including moving images” is set to Yes as the thinning conditions, information The SNS search formula generation unit 72 as an acquisition unit combines the search formulas in the search table Tb2, and generates an SNS search formula http: // api. snsl. com / userl / get_time_line? sense = 2015-01-01 & until = 2015-12-31 & favorite_minimum = 20 & with_image & with_comment & without_movie
Is generated and transmitted to the SNS3 server via the network Nt, the search execution unit of the SNS3 server searches for articles, comments, images, and the like, excluding moving images from the resource management unit.

  It should be noted that, even when “not including a moving image” is set to “Yes” as the thinning condition on the thinning condition setting screen for the SNS 3, an image obtained by cutting out a part of the moving image as a still image can be used.

  In the present embodiment, since the SNS search control unit 61 only needs to obtain the control information from the SNS3 server once, the amount of communication data between the mobile terminal 12 and the SNS3 server can be reduced. By increasing the processing speed, it is possible to efficiently print articles, comments, images, and the like.

  In each of the above embodiments, the printing system Sy as an image forming system formed by the printer 11 as an image forming apparatus and the portable terminal 12 as a higher-level device has been described. The present invention can be applied to an image forming system formed by an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral and a host device.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

15 Display unit 63 SNS address setting unit 71 Thinning condition setting unit 72 SNS search formula generation unit ds2 to ds4 Thinning condition setting screen Nt Network Sy Printing system

Claims (10)

(A) a display unit;
(B) a specific information acquisition unit that acquires specific information that identifies an information acquisition target for acquiring information on a network;
(C) A search condition setting screen is formed on the display unit based on the specific information, and a search condition for setting a search condition for searching for a print target stored as an information acquisition target on the search condition setting screen is set. A setting section,
(D) an information acquisition unit that acquires a print target satisfying the set search condition,
(E) The image forming system, wherein the search condition setting unit displays the search items of the search condition in a search condition setting screen in a manner corresponding to the specific information to be acquired. (A) The information acquisition target includes a server that stores a print target,
(B) The information acquisition unit generates an information acquisition target search formula based on the set search condition, transmits the information acquisition target search formula to the server via the network, and prints the print target satisfying the search condition. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the information is acquired.   The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the search item of the search condition is set in advance corresponding to a server and recorded in a storage unit.   The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the search item of the search condition is set based on control information acquired from a server.   The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the search item of the search condition is recorded in the storage unit in association with a server.   The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the search item of the search condition is recorded in the storage unit as a search table in correspondence with a search formula for each search item.   The apparatus further includes the specific information acquisition unit, and forms a print condition setting screen on the display unit based on the specific information, and in the print condition setting screen, sets a print condition for printing the print target stored in the information acquisition target. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a print condition setting unit for setting. (A) The information acquisition target is an SNS,
(B) The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the specific information that specifies the information acquisition target is an SNS address. (A) a layout control unit that determines a print layout based on information on a medium stored in a medium storage unit of an image forming apparatus connected via a network and information on a print target;
(B) a print data generation unit that generates print data based on a print layout;
(C) before starting actual printing based on the print data, predicting whether or not a print result expected by the user is obtained, and displaying a message corresponding to the predicted result on the display unit; The image forming system according to claim 2, further comprising: (A) acquiring specific information for identifying an information acquisition target for acquiring information on a network,
(B) forming a search condition setting screen on a display unit based on the specific information, and setting search conditions for searching for a print target stored as an information acquisition target on the search condition setting screen;
(C) Acquire print targets that satisfy the set search conditions,
(D) The image forming method, wherein, on the search condition setting screen, search items of the search condition are displayed differently corresponding to the specific information of the information acquisition target.

Images